Slap shot hockey game

ABSTRACT

A hockey game apparatus, the device comprising an open box containing a playing field for a puck, a series of parallel spaced apart, transverse handles placed over the playing field, each handle being axially slidable and pivotable and having sideward extending paddles for striking the puck toward either of an opposing goal pocket at each opposite end of the playing field. On either side of the goal openings there is provided a strip element providing a vertical stop. Lying against each strip element is an inclined banking surface. The paddle most nearly adjacent the goal opening is constructed to clear the top of the vertical stop to remove the ball if it should come to rest thereon.

United States Patent [72} Inventor John F. May

650 Main St., New Rochelle, NY. 10801 [21] Appl. No. 765,263

[22] Filed Oct. 4, 1968 [45] Patented Apr. 13, 1971 [54] SLAP SHOTHOCKEY GAME 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figs.

Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo Assistant Examiner-Paul E. ShapiroAtt0meyCarl Miller ABSTRACT: A hockey game apparatus, the devicecomprising an open box containing a playing field for a puck, a seriesof parallel spaced apart, transverse handles placed over the playingfield, each handle being axially slidable and pivotablc and havingsideward extending paddles for striking the puck toward either of anopposing goal pocket at each opposite end of the playing field. Oneither side of the goal openings there is provided a strip elementproviding a vertical stop. Lying against each strip element is aninclined banking surface. The paddle most nearly adjacent the goalopening is constructed to clear the top of the vertical stop to removethe ball if it should come to rest thereon.

SLAP srror HOCKEY GAME This invention relates to a game apparatus inwhich the basic action is comparable to the sport of hockey.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a rectangular playingsurface having two equal oppositely downwardly sloping playing fieldsfrom the transverse center of the playing surface, a ball and rodscarrying paddles for actuating the ball toward one or the other end ofthe playing surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide the rectangular playingsurface with upstanding longitudinal sidewalls and upstanding parallelend walls the latter being provided each with a central goal opening andexterior pocket for the ball.

A further object of the invention is to provide the lower interiorportions of the side and end walls with banked surfaces, the insidesurfaces of all the walls being covered by a liner of elastic materialto effect a rebounding of the ball therefrom to add speed and skill tothe game.

Yet another object of the invention is to mount on the upper edge of thesidewalls and across each playing field three transversely spacedrotatable and axially movable rods suitably secured to the sidewalls,each rod being provided with stop elements to limit the axial movementthereof and with paddle elements for starting the ball to move the samein the desired direction on the playing field, each rod beingmanipulated individually.

Yet another object of this invention is to utilize the endmost rod ofeach set of rods against an end wall as a goal rod having a singlepaddle, the intermediate rod of each set being a defensive rod havingtwo transversely spaced paddles and the innermost rod of each set beingan offensive rod operated by a player of the opponent team having threetransversely spaced paddles.

A further object of this invention is to propel the ball into theopponents goal opening by axial manipulation and rotation of each rod tostrike the ball with a paddle, there being two teams set up with twoplayers on each team, one player of one team operating the goal rod andthe second player operating the defensive and offensive rods of histeam.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in the playing ofthe hockey game apparatus a creation of utmost interest due to therequisite skillful manipulation required involving physical, muscularand mental coordination which can be developed from playing experienceand which enhances competition and amusement.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the descriptionproceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention maybe embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings,attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings areillustrative only, and that change may be made in the specificconstruction illustrated and described within the scope of the appendedclaims.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the game apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view partly in cross section takenon line 3-3, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on line 4-4, FIG. 3.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, the game apparatus is seento consist of a base 11 having a playing surface 12 formed thereon toprovide two flat oppositely sloping playing fields l3, 14 which are ofequal size and slope downwardly from the medial transverse center 16 ofthe playing surface to the opposite ends thereof. The base 11 may bemounted on suitable legs or supports (not shown) and is rectangular inshape and of any desired length and width. Surrounding the base 11 andsuitably attached thereto are parallel upright sidewalls l8, l9 andcorresponding parallel upright end walls 20, 21.

Centrally of each of the end walls 20, 21 and in opposed relation toeach other are goal openings 24, 25, the bottom of each opening lyingflush with the surface of its associated playing field as seen in FIG.3. Surrounding each opening and exteriorly respectively of end walls 20,21 are ball-receiving pockets 27, 28 of net or mesh.

Arranged on the inside of each end wall 20, 21 and on each side of theopenings therein are strip elements 35, 35a and 36, 360 respectivelyproviding stops 30, 31 and 32, 33. Along the strip elements of the endwalls and along the inside surface of the sidewalls 18 adjacent thebottoms thereof are secured molding strips 40, 41 and 42, 43respectively each presenting an inclined or banked surface with relationto the surface of the playing fields and to the walls respectively.Secured to the inside surfaces of the sidewalls and end strip elementsis a liner of rubber or other suitable elastic plastic material 46, seeFIG. 4, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Mounted on the upper edge of the sidewalls l8, 19 are pairs of bearingbrackets 50, 50a; 51, 51a; 52, 52a; 53, 53a; 54, 54a and 55, 55a. Thebearing brackets of each pair are spaced from each other at selecteddistances, each pair of brackets being in opposed relation and havingcoaxial openings therein for the reception, respectively, of rods 60,61, 62, 63, 64, 65. The rods each have axial sliding as well as rotatingmovement in each associated pair of bearing brackets and extendoutwardly beyond the same, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. Rods and aredesignated goal rods and are disposed adjacent to end walls 20, 21having goal openings 24, 25 respectively. Rods 61 and 64 are designateddefensive rods and rods 62, 63 are designated offensive rods. Rods 60,65 are each centrally provided with a single paddle 67, 68 respectivelyrigidly secured to its respective rod in any desired manner. The paddles67, 68 are of a length such as to be able to clear the front edge of thestrip elements 35, 35a and 36, 36a respectively, see FIG. 1, and willjust clear the surface of the associated playing field if the goal rodscarrying the same are turned in the appropriate direction. Defensiverods 61, 64 are each provided with an integral pair of axially spacedpaddles 69, 70 and 69a, 700, respectively, of a length such as to justclear the surface of their associated playing field. Offensive rods 62,63 are each provided with three coaxially spaced paddles 71, 72, 73 and71a, 72a, 73a respectively similar to paddles 69, 70.

The terminal ends of defensive and offensive rods 61,63 are providedwith disc stops 75, 76 and at their other ends with disc stops 75a, 76alocated inwardly from said other ends to provide handles 77, 78. In asimilar manner, the opposite terminal ends of defensive and offensiverods, 64, 62 are provided with disc stops 80, 81 and at their other endswith disc stops 80a, 81a located inwardly from said other ends toprovide handles 82, 83. The disc stops serve to limit axial movement ineither direction of each rod while the handles on the rods are held eachby a player to manipulate the rod. The goal rods 60, 65 are of a lengthsuch as to not require limit stops thereon, the sides of the paddles 67,68 serving to limit axial outward movement of the rods when engaging thesidewalls l8, 19. However, the same may be provided at each end with adisc stop and handle portion similar to that at an end of each of thedefensive and offensive rods, as shown in FIG. 1.

The object of the game as in hockey is to move or propel a ball (whichmay be a marble) into a selected goal opening. Thus to play the gamethere is required two teams of two players on each team. A goal tenderon each team respectively operates goal rods 60, 65. Defensive rods 61,64 each having two defensive men as represented by paddles 69, 70; 69a,70a are each operated by the second player of each team. Offensive rods,62, 63 each having two forwards and one center as represented by paddles71, 72, 73; 71a, 72a, 73a are each operated by the second player. Theball or marble is placed on raised transverse center 16 of the playingsurface and will roll down one or the other of the playing fields.Proper manipulation by player operating the offensive rods 62 or 63 willcause one of the three paddles thereon to strike the ball towards thegoal. Manipulation of the defensive rod in the same playing field willcause, if possible, one of the two paddles thereon to strike the ballback upwardly on the playing field away from the goal. Skill in playingthe game will result in the offensive player to be able to strike theball into the goal opening. The ball may'be moved in the playing of thegame from one playing field to the other thus giving each of the playersan opportunity to play. Should the ball strike the rubber-lined sides orbanked portion of the side and end walls, it will rebound back into theplaying field. Should the ball rest against the stops 30, 31, 32, 33 iseasily moved off thereof by manipulation of the goal rod operated by thegoal tender. When the ball moves through one of the goal openings it isreceived in the associated pocket 27, 28 from which it may be retrieved.As is apparent, the players move their respective rods axially in eitherdirection and may at the same time turn the same to direct the paddleagainst the ball to move the same in a selected direction. Playing ofthe game requires and will develop skill, dexterity as well as physical,mental and muscular coordination.

While this invention .has been described with particular reference tothe construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that suchis not to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention,which is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

lclaim:

l. A game apparatus comprising:

a. a rectangular playing surface;

b. two adjacent like playing fields on said playing surface;

c. said playing fields sloping downwardly in opposite directions towardeach end of the playing surface from the transverse medial centerthereof;

d. sidewalls and end walls enclosing said playing surface;

e. axially movable and rotatable rods supported transversely of saidplaying surface on said sidewalls;

f. bearing means fixed to said sidewalls arranged in opposed pairs witheach pair of bearing means carrying a rod for axial and rotativemovement;

g. paddle elements on each rod;

h. a ball movable on one or the other of said playing fields; wherebymanipulation of each of the rods either axially or rotatively will causea paddle element thereon to strike the ball to impart movement anddirection of movement to said ball, including:

i. a goal opening centrally in each end wall;

j. an elastic and resilient liner secured to the inside surface of saidside and end walls;

k. means fixed to the lower portion of said side and end walls providingan inclined banking surface relative to the playing surface; wherebysaid ball will rebound into the playing field when striking said elasticand resilient liner wherein said rods provide for each playing field:

l. a goal tender rod;

in. a defensive rod;

n. an offensive rod;

wherein in each playing field:

0. said goal tender rod is disposed adjacent the goal opening in the endwall thereof;

p. a single paddle is fixed centrally to said goal tender rod;

q. said offensive rod is disposed adjacent to the transverse medialportion of the playing surface at the higher most portion of itsassociated playing field;

r. three transversely spaced paddles are fixedly secured to saidofiensive rod;

s. said defensive rod being disposed substantially midway between saidgoal tender rod and offensive rod;

t. two transversely spaced paddles are fixedly secured to said defensiverod;

including:

u. a ball receiving pocket arranged exteriorly of each end wall at thegoal opening therein;

v. a limit stop at one terminal end of each defensive and offensive rod;

w. a limit stop and handle at the other end of each defensive andoffensive rods; x. defensive and offensive rods having the limit stopsat the terminal end thereof disposed laterally outward of one sidewallwith the stops at the terminal ends of the other alternate defensive andoffensive rods disposed laterally outwardly of the other sidewall;wherein:

y. the limit stop and handle on the defensive and offensive rods aredisposed laterally outwardly of the sidewalls; including:

2. a strip element providing a vertical stop arranged one on each sideof said goal opening in each end wall; a. said means providing aninclined banking surface lying against each said strip element; and bb.said single paddle on the goal tender rod being adapted to clear saidvertical stop to remove the ball should it rest thereon.

1. A game apparatus comprising: a. a rectangular playing surface; b. twoadjacent like playing fields on said playing surface; c. said playingfields sloping downwardly in opposite directions toward each end of theplaying surface from the transverse medial center thereof; d. sidewallsand end walls enclosing said playing surface; e. axially movable androtatable rods supported transversely of said playing surface on saidsidewalls; f. bearing means fixed to said sidewalls arranged in opposedpairs with each pair of bearing means carrying a rod for axial androtative movement; g. paddle elements on each rod; h. a ball movable onone or the other of said playing fields; whereby manipulation of each ofthe rods either axially or rotatively will cause a paddle elementthereon to strike the ball to impart movement and direction of movementto said ball, including: i. a goal opening centrally in each end wall;j. an elastic and resilient liner secured to the inside surface of saidside and end walls; k. means fixed to the lower portion of said side andend walls providing an inclined banking surface relative to the playingsurface; whereby said ball will rebound into the playing field whenstriking said elastic and resilient liner wherein said rods provide foreach playing field:
 1. a goal tender rod; m. a defensive rod; n. anoffensive rod; wherein in each playing field: o. said goal tender rod isdisposed adjacent the goal opening in the end wall thereof; p. a singlepaddle is fixed centrally to said goal tender rod; q. said offensive rodis disposed adjacent to the transverse medial portion of the playingsurface at the higher most portion of its associated playing field; r.three transversely spaced paddles are fixedly secured to said offensiverod; s. said defensive rod being disposed substantially midway betweensaid goal tender rod and offensive rod; t. two transversely spacedpaddles are fixedly secured to said defensive rod; including: u. a ballreceiving pocket arranged exteriorly of each end wall at the goalopening therein; v. a limit stop at one terminal end of each defensiveand offensive rod; w. a limit stop and handle at the other end of eachdefensive and offensive rods; x. defensive and offensive rods having thelimit stops at the terminal end thereof disposed laterally outward ofone sidewall with the stops at the terminal ends of the other alternatedefensive and offensive rods disposed laterally outwardly of the othersidewall; wherein: y. the limit stop and handle on the defensive andoffensive rods are disposed laterally outwardly of the sidewalls;including: z. a strip element providing a vertical stop arranged one oneach side of said goal opening in each end wall; aa. said meansproviding an inclined banking surface lying against each said stripelement; and bb. said single paddle on the goal tender rod being adaptedto clear said vertical stop to remove the ball should it rest thereon.